This document explores the properties of magnets and magnetic materials, distinguishing between permanent magnets and electromagnets. It outlines the fundamental principles of magnetism, including the attraction and repulsion forces, the presence of magnetic poles, and the creation of magnetic fields. Additionally, it highlights how electromagnets can be enhanced for strength through various methods.

1. MAGNETISM
Essential Question: What are properties of magnets & magnetic materials?
How is a perma-magnet different from (and similar to) an electromagnet?

2. Magnetism Stations
The stations in the back of the room
are set up so that you can explore
magnetism!
Please take the time
to read aloud the
procedures/questions
for the lab.

3. MAGNETISM
EXPLAINED
Need more info? Try these videos…
Magnetism for Kids
Bill Nye: Magnetism
Khan Academy: Magnetism
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

4. Which of the following items will a magnet attract?
Button
Screw
Nuts & Bolts
Scissors
Marble
Penny
Paper Clip
Pencil
No
Yes
Item
Hypothesize:

5. Check your work…
Button
Screw
Nuts & Bolts
Scissors
Marble
Penny
Paper Clip
Pencil
No
Yes
Item

6. What do
these items
have in
common?
They are made of iron,
cobalt, or nickel (or a
mixture). These materials
are magnetic.

7. What is Magnetism?
• Magnetism is a force (like gravity) and a form of
energy
• It is the force of attraction or repulsion of a magnetic
material due to the arrangement of its electrons.
• Magnetism was discovered by the Greeks. (They
found a mineral called magnetite that attracted some
metals to it)
• This mineral (a magnet) can be used to see the
effects of magnetism.

8. Facts About
MAGNETS

9. The ends of a magnet are where the
magnetic effect is the
strongest.
These are called “poles.”
Each magnet has
2 poles – 1 north, 1 south.

10. Like poles repel …
Opposite poles attract!
The Law of Attraction

11. Poles of a magnet
always
come in pairs!

12. N S N S
If you cut a magnet in half,
you get 2 magnets!

13. Magnetic Fields
The region where the magnetic forces
act is called the “magnetic field”

14. The Earth is a magnet:
Earth’s magnetic
field is mostly
caused by electric
currents in
the liquid outer
core which is
composed of
conductive, molten
iron.
Food for Thought:
the north end of a compass magnet
is drawn to align with the Earth's
magnetic field. Because the Earth's
magnetic North Pole attracts the
"north" ends of other magnets, it is
technically the "South Pole" of our
planet's magnetic field.

15. There are 2 types of magnets:
• Permanent magnets
– permanent
– Keep their magnetism all of the time
– Ex. Refrigerator magnet
• Electromagnets
– Temporary
– Can be magnetized by running electricity through
it
– Ex. Car alternator

16. Electromagnets
• By running electric current through a wire, you can
create a magnetic field.
• By using this simple principle, you can create all sorts
of things, including motors, speakers, disk drives and
so on.

17. Electromagnets
• Once an electromagnet is made, the magnetic
field can be made stronger.
• To increase the strength of the magnetic field,
you must increase the number of coils/loops in
the conductive wire.
Which electromagnet
is the strongest?

18. Electromagnets
Electromagnets can also be made stronger by:
1) increasing the number of coils
2) increasing the thickness of the wire
3) increasing the size of the metal rod that the
wire is wrapped around.
4) increasing the battery size